Reports: Rice to appeal suspension Monday

Sep 15, 2014 - 2:43 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will appeal his indefinite NFL suspension on Monday, according to multiple reports.

The appeal will be handled by the NFLPA and Rice's lawyer.

Rice was released by the Ravens Monday hours after TMZ released video footage that showed him punching his now-wife in an Atlantic City casino elevator during the offseason.

In addition, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Rice's previous two-game suspension would run indefinitely due to the new information that had been made available.

TMZ.com released video of the actual incident on Monday that showed Rice throwing a left-handed punch at then-fiancee Janay Palmer and knocking her out cold at the Revel Casino back in February.

Surveillance video originally released by the celebrity gossip website only revealed the aftermath of the incident, with Rice dragging Palmer out of the elevator.

The new video showed Rice and Palmer entering the elevator at the now-closed casino. The two are standing next to each other before a minor shove. Rice then moves away and Palmer rushes toward him before he reacts with a quick left-handed blow.

The length of the suspension drew public backlash and prompted the league to amend its policy on domestic violence. First-time offenders are now suspended six games with a lifetime ban after a second such offense.

Rice offered an apology in May and did so again in July at the start of the Ravens' training camp, calling his actions that night "totally inexcusable."

In May, Rice was accepted into a pretrial intervention program that allowed him to avert prosecution and avoid serving any time in jail. The charges against him will be expunged from his record upon successful completion of the one-year program.

Rice played in 15 games last season and tallied 660 yards with four touchdowns on 214 carries while adding 321 yards receiving. Over his career, the three- time Pro Bowl selection has rushed for 6,180 yards and 37 touchdowns and caught 369 passes for 3,034 yards and six scores.